Hey Reader!

What was your favorite class you took in high school or college?

I know, I know. It might seem like a boring question on the surface. But stay with me.

One of my favorite classes ever was a creative writing class I took in high school. The curriculum was split into four areas: poetry, playwriting, movie reviews, and personal narratives.

For our movie reviews project, we had to select one director and write reviews for three of their movies. One of the suggested directors was Sofia Coppola, and at the time she had directed The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, and Marie Antoinette.

I was hooked.

The dreamy visuals, carefully curated music, contentment with quiet moments... it all spoke to my soul!

And once I learned more about Sofia's process, I was even more obsessed! She is a photographer at heart and a lover of mood boarding. While writing every film, she creates a visual style guide that inspires everything from the film's atmosphere, soundtrack, wardrobe, locations, and prop styling. She gives it to everyone on the crew so they're on the same page.

If you've been around here for a while, you know that visual planning like this is my jam! I start every shoot with visual inspiration and lead with quiet confidence like Sofia.

I'm forever grateful to my high school creative writing class for giving me a lifelong muse. Sofia is my answer every time to the question: "Who would you invite to a dinner party?"

Anyway, I just received my copy of Sofia's book Archive (I sprung for the signed because that's what you do for your favorites, right!?). I'm also looking forward to her newest movie Priscilla coming out this fall. Revisiting her work always gives me a creative boost!

So tell me: Who or what sends your inspiration into overdrive? Reply to this email and let me know!

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